Christmas Liturgies and Services in Schenectady
  • Tuesday, December 25th: Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord – Shepherd’s Holy Mass/Pasterka at Midnight. Service of Worship and Holy Communion for Christmas Day starting at 10am.
  • Wednesday, December 26th: Feast of St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr – please keep the persecuted Church in your prayers.
  • Thursday, December 27th: Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist – Service of Worship and Holy Communion and Blessing of Wine at 7:30pm.
  • Friday, December 28th: Commemoration of the Holy Innocents – please keep all children in your prayers.
  • Sunday, December 30th: Solemnity of the Humble Shepherds – Service of Worship and Holy Communion starting at 9:30am. First ever Soup on Sunday – Ministry from 11:30am until 1:30pm.
  • Monday, December 31st: Solemnity of the Holy Family – please pray for God’s blessings upon all families.
  • Tuesday, January 1st: Solemnity of the Circumcision of our Lord – Service of Worship and Holy Communion starting at 10am.
  • Wednesday, January 2nd: Solemnity of the Holy Name of Jesus – Service of Worship and Holy Communion starting at 7:30pm.
  • Sunday, January 6th: Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord – Service of Worship and Holy Communion with blessing of chalk, charcoal, and incense starting at 9:30am. Holy Mass at 11am.
  • Sunday, January 13th: Solemnity of the Baptism of our Lord – Service of Worship and Holy Communion starting at 9:30am.

Special Note – Events and Times for Sunday, December 16th

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out – Acts 3:19

Next Sunday, December 16th, we observe the Third Sunday of Advent, the lighting of the Third Advent Candle. On this Sunday we traditionally add to our Advent preparations during Holy Mass with a special Advent Penitential Service.

Proper Advent preparation requires that we free ourselves of sin. This is our opportunity. In this special preparatory moment we are better able to examine our conscience and put forth our best effort to make things right with God and our neighbor. These special penitential services occur only twice a year – so it is vitally important that we attend, participate, and celebrate together.

Following Holy Mass we will take time to enjoy fellowship, our Youth Christmas presentation, and join in preparing all those wonderful meatless dishes we will share with each other at our Vigil Dinner starting at 11:30am.

To allow sufficient time for our Penitential Service, Holy Mass, our Youth Presentation, and our Vigil Dinner we will begin at 8:45am with the lighting of the Advent Wreath immediately followed by our Penitential Service, receipt of the Sacrament of Penance, and Holy Mass. We are pleased to have Fr. Rafał Dadiełło from Holy Spirit Parish in Little Falls join us to administer the Sacrament of Penance and to offer Holy Mass.

St. Paul reminds us: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation — 2 Corinthians 5:18. God gave His Holy Church the power to loose us of our sins -– come and be made free once again in the love of God who has reconciled all things to Himself in Christ Jesus. Then free, join in celebrating the coming season with each other.

Thankful for

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

To all our members, parishioners, benefactors, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in Christ, and all who dwell with us in our land,

On behalf of our Parish Committee and myself, I pray that your Thanksgiving celebration is filled with great joy, togetherness, and time to reflect on the many blessings we share in. May your day and travels be safe.

We are so thankful for each of you, for your fellowship enriches each of us. Our mutual work for the kingdom becomes an occasion for rejoicing because of you. You are in our prayers of thanksgiving this day and every day.

As we reflect today, we recount these many blessings received, in material things, but most importantly in the gift of true fellowship and freedom found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All thanksgiving and praise be His.

— Deacon Jim

Month of All Souls – remember the souls of your family and friends

As the days of October pass the days grow shorter, the colors of autumn take hold, and our thoughts turn to the Commemoration of All Souls. The Holy Church sets aside the month of November to commemorate those who have preceded us in holy death.

As Christians we recognize that death is not an ending, but rather a change. We pass through death into everlasting life. We remain joined with all those who have died. We rely on them for their intercession on our behalf. They rely on our prayers and intercession to ease their transition, their journey into the glory of heaven.

We will remember our dearly departed during the month of November according to age old Catholic custom of commemoration and prayer…a custom known as “wypominki.”

If you would like the souls of loved ones to be remembered during the Commemoration of All Souls and at all services throughout the entire month of November, please send the names of these loved ones to Deacon Jim by Sunday, October 28th. Alternately, you can E-mail the names of those you wish commemorated by E-mail to Deacon Jim.

We will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints on Thursday, November 1st at 7:30pm followed by the the reading of the names of all the faithful departed.